Page 78 of Obsession & Oath

We had more time. We were supposed to have more time.

“What do you mean?”

And I would give anything, my heart, mysoul,for Rocco not to say his next words.

“Rubio has finally reached out and Leon’s made the call. The exchange. Mia for Carmen.”

Mia.

The name hits me like a punch to the gut. I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. “Mia’s still with Amos?”

How had I forgotten? How had I so easily pushed aside the fact that every sun-soaked day I’d spent with Carmen, Mia, myfriend,was at the mercy of that bastard?

“Leon wants this done, and he wants it done fast. We have no idea what condition she’s in, only that she’salive.”

I swallow back the bitter guilt, unable to let myself even think about it.

But something stirs in the back of my mind. Amos had been unwilling to part with Mia before. She was a player in this game, a skilled one, and having her off the board was only an advantage, so…

“Why now? What’s changed?”

“I don’t know,” Rocco sighs as if he’s had the exact same thought. “But Leon is a mess, and the longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes.”

My mind whirls, but my heart is already made up. There’s no question.

“Understood,” I say tightly, trying to keep my focus. My chest is heavy, torn between the reality of what I must do and the guilt that gnaws at me. “We’ll move as soon as possible.”

“Good. We’ll be ready,” Rocco says, and before I can respond, the line goes dead.

I’m left with nothing but the ringing silence in my ears. The tension in the air around me feels thick, suffocating.

Evelina is looking at me, not bothering to mask her horror as my mind races.

Mia.

Carmen.

Mia.

It wasn’t fair. It was so selfish. It was maddening.

I could steal Carmen away. I could propose and keep her right here, safe and sound andmine.Forever and ever.

But I’d be condemning Mia and Leon to a fate worse than death.

How did it always feel like we had all the time in the world?

Maybe that’s exactly why I need to let her go.

Chapter22

Carmen

Idon’t know how long I’ve been in this room. Hours? Days?

When I do sleep, it’s fitful, haunted by dreams of a life that was never mine to keep.

I hear the door open before I see him.

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